Chief executive of Thomas Cook Mainstream Ian Ailles said: “The fleet reduction is one measure within our overall strategic and operating review of the UK business and demonstrates the decisive action that we are taking to improve the profitability of our UK business.“The airline review has focused on leases, seasonal capacity and mainstream tour operator demand, as well as operational efficiency and profitability.”Of the six aircraft, three A330s will be returned to their leasing company along with a narrow-bodied A320, a Boeing 767 will be shifted to Thomas Cook's German airline Condor and a fourth A330 will transfer to Thomas Cook Northern Europe.
Cook said the reduction in its aircraft did not mean it would cut capacity for summer 2012 as some of its flying was on behalf of third parties and some of its packages were based on scheduled flights.The operator has already announced that its winter 2011/12 capacity will be cut by 5%.Full story here